Chapter Eighteen
It was hard for Rowena to rise that morning.
She had been restless, not getting much sleep.
She washed and dressed, donning her spectacles, and then waited for Ollie’s carriage to show up.
Closing her eyes, she was taken back to the drawing room last night.
She fought against the memories but finally gave in to them.
How was she going to be in Lord Marley’s company for the remainder of the house party and maintain her sanity?
As a gentleman, she knew he would make no further move, even as she longed for him to do so.
She could not rid herself of the notion that she was not good enough for him, though.
Polite Society had taught her that. It had judged her—and found her sorely lacking.
Lord Marley was a man who thrived in the company of others.
Where she no longer had an interest in going to town, he had been very frank, telling her how important his family was to him and that he would make a point of attending each Season, simply because he wanted to spend time with his various relatives and their children.
She heard Ollie’s carriage arriving and opened her eyes. Rising from the chair, she went out to the vehicle. Where she felt sluggish and thought she must appear tired, her cousin had bright eyes and a ready smile.
“Good morning, Rowena,” he said, handing her up into the carriage. “Is it not the most glorious day?”
“I have not been up long enough to establish whether it is or not,” she teased, pushing aside her gloom. “You, on the other hand, are in a grand mood.”
He grew serious. “I have decided to offer for Miss Tweedham,” he confided.
“Oh, Ollie! That truly is the most wonderful news. I am so very happy for the two of you.”
“Some may think it a bit too soon, but I simply know in my heart that she is the one for me. I cannot believe she has attended the Season without one gentleman recognizing her worth.”
“It will be delightful to have my closest friend so nearby, wed to my cousin.”
He hesitated a moment and then asked, “Won’t you change your mind, Rowena, and move to the main house with us?”
“That is the last thing I would do,” she declared.
“Especially now. The two of you will need your privacy. You will be the viscount and viscountess, and you will be raising your family there. I would only get in the way.” She offered him a smile.
“I promise to visit often, however. I do have one favor to ask of you, though.”
“Name it, Cousin. You have done so much for me through the years, and now you have brought the woman into my life whom I will wed. I can deny you nothing.”
“Although we are not brother and sister, I feel as close to you as I would a brother. Would you allow your children to call me Aunt Rowena? Or perhaps Aunt Ro. Rowena might be a mouthful for a little one to say.”
He reached out and took her hand, squeezing it. “Of course. That would make me—and Miss Tweedham—very happy.”
“Do you have an idea when you might speak to her regarding your future together? I will keep your secret as long as you wish, but I am eager to celebrate the betrothal with you.”
“I am not certain. I want it to be the right moment. I also believe your friend Lady Sarah might also be receiving an offer of marriage, as well.”
“From Baron Howell?” she asked eagerly, and Ollie nodded. “I have seen them together. She seemed very happy yesterday, with Mary being present.”
“Lord Howell spoke to me of this yesterday. I think he might offer for her as soon as today.”
“Lady Pebble will be crowing, seeing that two betrothals came from her house party.”
“What of you, Rowena? Do you believe Lord Marley might think to offer for you?”
Her cheeks heated. “No, Ollie. That will not be the case.”
“Are you certain?” he pressed.
Panic filled her. “Why? Has he said something to you?”
“I only know that he thinks very highly of you.”
She brushed off the words. “That is because I am acquainted with his cousin, Lady Merriman. She asked him to dance with me once, and he obliged her. I assure you, Ollie, there is nothing between us.”
“If you say so,” he said cryptically, causing her to wonder if Lord Marley had spoken to her cousin or not.
Rowena had no time to question him further because they arrived at Pebblestone and went into breakfast.
As they dined, Lady Pebble told the group that after breakfast, they would have the opportunity to walk into Mossleigh and visit the shops in the village. A ride was scheduled for that afternoon.
Lord Marley spoke up. “Perhaps we might visit Lord Cramer’s and Lord Howell’s estates while we ride through the neighborhood. Since I am so new to my title, I am learning about estate management. I would enjoy seeing each of your properties, gentlemen, if you do not object.”
The others agreed to the earl’s proposal.
“Instead of returning to Pebblestone for tea, we could take it at my house,” the baron volunteered. Looking to Lord Pebble, he asked, “Might I send one of your footmen to Meadowbrook with a message so that my Cook will know to expect a large party for tea later today?”
The viscount agreed, and Lord Howell slipped away to write his note.
When he returned, they readied themselves to walk into Mossleigh. The village was about a mile and a half from Pebblestone. They started out as one large group, but couples gradually paired off, leaving Rowena in Lord Marley’s company once again.
“Have you been into Mossleigh before, my lady?”
“Several times now since I have returned to live in Dorset. Before then, I can only recall one visit to the village. Remember, I was raised in town.”
“Are you liking the change from town to country?” he inquired. “I would think it might be a bit of an adjustment for you.”
“Not in the least, my lord. The few times I came to Dorset, I felt as if I were home. Where I was meant to be. Papa and I actually visited a few friends in the country over the years, and it was the same every time we left the city. I suppose I am a country girl at heart.”
“I wish you could see Marleyfield,” he said, his tone wistful. “Although I was raised there, I was often away at school. Then after I left university, I chose to take rooms with Val in town.”
“Why did you do so? Were you not welcomed at Marleyfield?”
“My father enjoyed dabbling at being a country lord. He and I were close and saw each other frequently whenever he and Mama came to town for the Season.”
He paused, looking contemplative before he continued.
“I think what kept me away was Mama. My mother is someone who is, shall we say, quite strong in her opinions.”
Even though Rowena had not been introduced to Lady Marley, she knew that to be the case. There were few women in Polite Society as outspoken and opinionated as his mother.
“I hate admitting this now because it makes it seem as if Papa were weak. He simply found it easier to keep the peace by giving into Mama on everything. She is the who truly ran Marleyfield and did not want my help. I had thought I would spend a majority of my year in the country once my schooldays were behind me, but when I saw how things would be, I quickly moved to town. Val was in a similar situation. His father did not want a son around, usurping his authority before Val held the dukedom. That is why we gravitated toward town and remained there year-round.”
“Did you find yourself unprepared regarding your responsibilities?” she asked. “I would think having had nothing to do with managing an estate and suddenly being responsible for one would prove to be difficult.”
“A little,” he admitted. “Though I have a gem of a steward in Mr. Tabor. He has taken me about Marleyfield on numerous occasions, explaining all I need to know. I have met my tenants and can call all by name now. The records kept under his supervision have been very thorough, and I have reviewed them extensively, familiarizing myself with everything about Marleyfield. I was happy to participate in the autumn harvest.”
His gaze met hers. “I also informed Mama that the time had come for her to relinquish her hold. She knows now not to be examining ledgers and giving Mr. Tabor orders. That I am the one who will make all decisions regarding Marleyfield.”
“You were brave to stand up to her. Not everyone in your position would have done so, my lord.”
“I believe Mama admired me for taking a stand. I suppose I have more of her in me than I suspected.”
The group came together again as they reached the village. It was small and could easily be seen in a short span of time. At Rowena’s suggestion, they decided to meet up at the local bakeshop in an hour.
“I can certainly recommend the toffee sticky buns,” she told them. “They are not to be missed.”
Once more, they coupled off, going in different directions. She and Lord Marley visited several of the shops, and she stopped at the milliner’s, looking at bonnets.
“Try that one on,” he said, pointing to one. “I think it would suit you.”
She untied the bonnet she wore and set it aside.
He handed her the new one, a woven straw bonnet with a short, round crown and a graceful, oval brim which would frame her face in a flattering way.
It had a lilac ribbon which could easily be detached and replaced with a ribbon of a different color.
Rowena placed it atop her head, tying the ribbons in a bow beneath her chin. He looked at her admiringly.
“Yes, that will do nicely. Might I purchase it for you?”
“No,” she said, a little too sharply. Softening her tone, she added, “It is not advisable for a gentleman to buy such a personal item for a lady.”
Sadness filled his eyes. “I understand. It suits you, you know. You are most attractive wearing it, Miss Stanhope.”